Message from the President

President’s Message — Leading with Our Hearts

February may be the shortest month of the year, but in that short period of time, we have already impacted the community in ways that will last a lifetime. Inspired by Valentine’s Day and the abundance of love being shared throughout the month, we listened to the causes that are important to the hearts of people in our community.

Make-A-Wish Maine Share the Power of a Wish Telethon

We have all heard of Make-A-Wish, an international organization that grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses. The Maine chapter of Make-A-Wish was founded in 1992 and has granted more than 1,850 wishes since its formation. They are on track to grant their 2,000th wish by the end of the year, and Partners Bank has helped push them closer to their goal.

On February 19th, at the Share the Power of a Wish Telethon, seven of our caring employees volunteered to answer calls and collect donations. They also presented a $10,000 donation from The Bank. Additionally, Partners Bank was the Morning Match Partner, matching donations made between 4:30 and 11 a.m., up to $10,000. The Share the Power of a Wish Telethon collected $128,000, with the help of Partners Bank.

A wish costs an average of $8,500 to grant, but the impact is worth the cost. The joy these children feel from a granted wish is a respite from their difficult reality of treatments, waiting, and coping. Effectively, these positive moments equip their bodies with the strength to fight their illnesses. This cause is truly remarkable, and I urge you to read more about our support in our blog post here.

Sanford Mainers

If there is one thing that beats brightly and loudly in the hearts of the citizens of Sanford, it would be the Sanford Mainers. For another year, Partners Bank is the Presenting Sponsor and has donated $12,500 to the team.

We have sponsored the Sanford Mainers in previous years, and we are proud to sponsor them again. Some of the funds will help fund Boomer’s Bookworms Club, the literacy program for youngsters throughout the summer season.

The Sanford Mainers does more than build the skills of young athletes who hope to make it to the big leagues. The team also participates in community service and gives back to local families and organizations.

To support the Sanford Mainers is to support the hearts of Sanford, and Partners Bank is devoted to that mission.

YMCA Early Learning Center

Last year, we announced that we pledged to donate $80,000 to the Sanford-Springvale YMCA Early Learning Center. We recently donated the second installment of this four-year commitment to aid in the success of this crucial childcare center.

The Early Learning Center was completed last year and has quickly become significant to all of us at the bank and to others in the community. We all value the physical, mental, and emotional development of our children, which The Center has fostered through music, singing, reading, movement and more.

We look forward to continuing to support The Center and seeing the positive effects our contribution makes to the lives of children and their families.

Saco River Theatre

The Saco River Theatre in Buxton is gearing up for their 35th season. This 501(c)(3) organization has announced two of their plays for 2025: The 39 Steps and Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight. Partners Bank is supporting their productions with a $4,000 sponsorship.

The Saco River Theatre has been a landmark in the neighborhood since April 1990. They host musical concerts, silent films with piano accompaniment, contra-dances, private parties, and theatrical productions by their resident professional theatre company The Originals.

The Theatre believes that everyone in the community should have access to their productions, regardless of their financial circumstances. Therefore, each production has at least one “pay-what-you-can” night so those who can’t afford the regular prices can still attend.

Patrons hold The Theatre so close to their hearts that they have nicknamed it “Little Carnegie Hall.” Partners Bank is proud to support the artistic and unique ways the Saco River Theatre enriches the community.

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford/Sanford Golf Tournament

Partners Bank is supporting the MaineHealth Maine Medical Center’s Annual Giving program by donating $1,500 to their 31st Annual MHMMC Biddeford/Sanford Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 9 at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport and Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard.

All funds raised through the tournament go directly into the Annual Giving program, which supports the hospitals’ greatest areas of need, new patient care initiatives, workforce development, as well as provides crucial flexibility to meet the changing needs of health care.

Society relies on healthcare that is based on current research and education. Partners Bank is proud to support MaineHealth’s advancements in those areas so they can provide proper care to patients and keep our community healthy.

Mousam Way Land Trust

The David & Linda Pence Community Ecology Center within the McKeon Environmental Reserve on Blanchard Road is home to the Sanford Community Garden and the Mike Terro and Kelly Tarbox Greenhouse. Partners Bank has donated $1,215 to help complete the greenhouse, which will help folks in our community sustain themselves.

We know the importance of the availability of health food, and that is the purpose of the community garden. Partners Bank stands by the Mousam Way Land Trust and their efforts to give everyone access to growing their own organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs.

AJ Davis Memorial Ice Fishing Derby

Partners Bank donated $200 to the AJ Davis Memorial Ice Fishing Derby. AJ Davis was a passionate outdoorsman who loved ice fishing. After his unexpected passing in 2017, his father Scott and volunteers started the Derby so AJ can forever remain in the hearts of his family and the community. February 23rd was the 7th anniversary of the Ice Fishing Derby, which has become one of Southern Maine’s largest and supports college scholarships for Sanford High School students.

Other Community Events

As we inch closer to spring, we are also counting down the days for upcoming community events that Partners Bank is supporting:

• Saturday, March 8th: The YMCA Trafton Center’s Spring Ahead Puzzle Tournament – Partners Bank has donated $100 and will once again have employees competing in the tournament. Funds from the tournament will support the plethora of programs at the Trafton Center, which includes pottery and yoga for YMCA’S senior members.
• Saturday, April 12th: Kiwanis Club of Sanford’s 4th Annual Toss for a Cause Fundraiser – Partners Bank has donated $500 to the fundraiser, which will benefit local children in many ways, including food and clothing for underprivileged children, community clean up days, and scholarships for high school seniors, and more.
• Saturday, May 10th: The YMCA Trafton Center’s 11th Annual Stepping Out for Seniors Walk – Partners Bank has donated $250 to the walk, and our employees are also participating in it. The walk begins at the Trafton Center, down Main Street to Gowen Park, following #1 Pond on River Street to Washington Street, and back to the Trafton Center. The Bank has supported The Walk in previous years, and we’re happy to do it again. Just like their Puzzle Tournament, the funds will benefit the Trafton Center’s programs.

Thank You – We Appreciate You!

As The Bank That Listens, we made a promise to give our customers the best products, services, and security protection available. Toward the end of last year, upgrading our core technology was an important part of that promise, bringing our customers a more secure, robust, and efficient banking system.

Like a lot of things in life, the upgrade was a lengthy process and came with unexpected hurdles. But with our customers’ patience and understanding, we were able to overcome those obstacles. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every individual for standing by us as we implemented those new changes. This will be the first year we’ll reap the positive effects of this new system and we look forward to all it will provide.

Let us march into March continuing to spread the love and care for each other. We hope to continue touching the hearts of others by supporting initiatives that are important to members of our community.

Blaine Boudreau